Spurlock Earns Special Teams Award

By MIKE COBBThe Ledger

Thursday

Dec 20, 2007 at 2:35 AMDec 20, 2007 at 7:06 AM

TAMPA | Buccaneer kick returner Micheal Spurlock said Wednesday that he's still a little surprised at the reaction he's gotten since becoming the first Tampa Bay player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in Sunday's 37-3 win over Atlanta.

Spurlock's 90-yard return in the first quarter snapped a 32-year streak that included 1,864 returns without a touchdown. It also earned him the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week award.

"Yeah, it's a little surprising," Spurlock said of the reaction he's gotten. "Everybody knew about (the streak). Everybody who's watched Buccaneer football knew about it. It was just a great reaction from the crowd. I've had a couple of people buy me dinner. That's what everyone wants to do. I guess there are perks with it."

As far as he's concerned, though, it's time to move on.

"I'm trying to enjoy it but also move forward to the next game," he said. "We're just looking forward to San Francisco and we'll see if we can get another one."

BUCS HAVE ALTERNATES

Although the Bucs didn't have a player on the Pro Bowl roster, they do have three alternates - quarterback Jeff Garcia, fullback B.J. Askew and wide receiver Joey Galloway.

If any of the players at their positions decide not to play, the alternate would then be added to the Pro Bowl roster at that position.

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE

The Bucs announced Wednesday that a limited number of tickets for the first playoff game on either Jan. 5 or 6 will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m., through TicketMaster.

Tickets can be purchased at TicketMaster outlets, through TicketMaster by phone or online at www.ticketmaster.com. There is a limit of six tickets per person.

The Bucs will play in the NFC wild-card playoffs either Jan. 5 or 6 at Raymond James Stadium. Their opponent has not yet been determined.

ASKEW, SPIRES healing

Askew, who missed last week's game with an ankle sprain, said he feels good enough to play this week, but he'll leave that decision up to the coaches. With the Bucs having clinched a playoff berth, the coaches might want to give him another week to rest so he'll be healthy for the playoffs.

"It would make more sense to do that," Askew said. "At the same time, that would be like asking a painter to stop painting, or a coach to stop coaching.

"Anything you're passionate about, you want to do it. To be smart, yeah. Go ahead and sit this one out. As an athlete, I want to be out there."

Also, defensive end Greg Spires, who has been out with a calf injury he sustained Oct. 28 against Jacksonville, could return Sunday at San Francisco.

"We think he's closing in on being ready to play," head coach Jon Gruden said.